Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-05
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The House Joint Ee,oiution Man
gled by the Senate.


WASHINGTON, Feb 4.-ln the Senate
to-day Mr.. Hoar, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported back, with an amend
menL in the nature OF a substitute, the
House Joint resolution authorizing an
inyestig cation of the books, accounts and
methods OF the Pacific railroads which
have received aid from the United States.
He asked that the substitute be read, and
moved that the matter be taken up for
consideration.
Mr.. Hale sand that the substitute was
long document and he objected to It's I'M
mediate consideration.
MIR. Hosr said that the substitute had
the appreciation of all the members of the
Judiciary Committee, although he had
dissented from it himself. He thought
it might pass the Senate without discus
sion.
Mr.. Hale said be did not know that he
was opposed TO it, but he thought 1t had
better 20 over.
The Joint resolution was placed on the
calendar, and Mr.. HOar gave notice that
he should call it up tor action at the first
possible moment.
ONLY THE ENACTING CLAUSE LEFT.
The resolution retains nothing but the
enacting clause Of the measure as 1t
passed the House. II authorizes the
President TO appoint three commissioners
at 500 per month each,
Section makes it the duty Of the Com
mission to examine into the workings ana
! financial management Of all the Pacific
| railroads that have received aid from the
| government In bonds; to see whether
| their obligations to the government have
| been complied with; whether their books
! and accounts have been kept 80 as TO
show their net earnings; whether there
| haa y pf n
through constructive mileage allowances
or Tor improper purposes; whether there
has been a discrimination OF rates, and
whether any and how much money is due
the United States on account OF erroneous
| accounts or settlements made by said
road.
STOCKHOLDERS AND SALARIES.
The commissioners are directed to as
certain and report the names OF all stock
holders in each Of the companies, from
its organization down, the salaries Cover
$1,000, now or ut any time paid to otticers)
the names Of persons who have received
bonuses or donations, and all payments
made under the head of legal expenses,
The commissioners are required 10 con-
slider and report whether the interests of
the United States require any extension
OF the time for the performance Of the OBJ
legations Of the companies, and what
companies should give. The Commission
is armed with full power TO
command the attendance of wit
nesses and the production OF
books and papers. one hundred thous-
and dollars is appropriated for the pur-
| poses OF the Investigation. whenever In
! the opinion OF the President it is deemed
necessary to the protection OF the inter-
ests of the government the Secretary of
| the Treasury shall clear of the paramount
! lien, mortgage or other incumbrance, and
| it is made the duty of the Attorney Gen
eral to take the necessary proceedings in
| the courts Tor such redemption, and TO
! fOreclose any mortgages or liens OF the
| United States in respect OF such railroad
property,
THE CHARGES.
Section provides that from and after
July l, 1887, there shall be charged to the
Central Pacific, Union Pacific, Central
! Branch of the Union Pacific Railway Com
pany, Sioux City and Pacific Railway
Company and Kansas Pacific Railway
Company 40 per cent. Of their net earn
lngs i'll place OF the % per cent. provided
Tor in the act of May I, 1873, the COM
panies mentioned in said act, and as to
others herein mentioned absolutely, and
to that end the act OF May is extended
to the Kansas Pacific, ~IouX City and
Central Branch of the Union Pacific.
The sixth and last section authorizes
( the investment of the sinking funds in
any of the government bonds, issued for
the benefit of the roads or IN their first
mortgage bonds.
The resolution by offered Mr.. Cali
Yesterday (while the doors were closed),
making the daily sessions from II O'Clock
in the morning 10 8 O'Clock at night, was
taken up and referred to committee.
The bill for holding the term Cf the
| United States Circuit Court at UeXarkana,
Tex, was taken up, am nded and passed.
The Senate al 6:15 O'Clock adjourned
| until tomorrow.
IN THE HOUSE.
The Sneaker laid before the House to-
day MESA es from the President return
lng, without his approval the bills grant
ing a pension to Alexander Falconer and
! William Lynch. The messages were re-
erred to the Committee on Pensions.
Mr.. Randall, from the Committee on
| Rules, reported resolution discharging
the committee OF the whole from further
consideration of the Senate bill for the re-
tlrement and recoinage of the trade dol
lar, aud making the bill the special order
in the House for Feb. D.
Immediately after the reading Of the
journal Mr.. Lanham called attention 10
the absence Of Mr.. Bland, Chairman OF
the Committee on Coinage, Weights and
Measures, anu suggested Inat the udte OF
the special order he changed TO Feb. II.
Mr.. Randall accepted the modification
and as 80 modified the resolution was
adopted.
Mr.. McCreary, Of Kentucky, offered
resolution amending the rules so as TO
provide that quorum of the committee
ofthe whole shall consist OF 100 members.
The amendment was referred to the Com
mittee on Rules.
After the reception OF few committee
reports OF a private character the House
went into committee of the whole on the
private calendar and disposed of few
private bills coming over as the untinish-
ed business from last Friday, ana at 3
O'Clock took a recess until 1880 o'clock,
the evening sessionto De for the consider
alton Of pension bills.
The House at it's evening session passed
thirty pension bills, aud at 1880 o'clock
adjourned,